Process for the manufacture of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane

ABSTRACT

A process is disclosed for producing HFC-134a which includes reacting certain tetrahaloethane starting materials (e.g., 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane) with HF in the gaseous phase at an elevated temperature in the presence of certain supported metal catalysts containing effective amounts of zinc. A catalyst of metal fluoride on a fluorinated alumina support having an atomic ratio of F to Al of at least 2.7:1 and containing β-aluminum fluoride, is employed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to processes for the manufacture of saturated halohydrocarbons containing fluorine, and more particularly to gas-phase processes for producing 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a) by catalytic fluorination of tetrahaloethanes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There has been considerable recent interest in halogen-substituted hydrocarbons containing fluorine and hydrogen, particularly halogen-substituted ethanes. Many of these materials can be used as refrigerants, blowing agents, or as chemical starting materials for the production of refrigerants or blowing agents. Some such as CF₃ CH₂ F (i.e., HFC-134a) are being considered to replace fully halogenated hydrocarbons containing chlorine which are less environmentally desirable due to their interaction with the ozone layer.

Various processes have been disclosed for the production of halogen-substituted ethanes containing fluorine and hydrogen. For example, British Patent Specification 1,000,485 discloses a process for the preparation of organic fluorinated compounds (e.g., CF₃ CH₂ Cl or CF₃ CHCl₂) by fluorination of haloolefins (e.g., CCl₂ ═CHCl or CCl₂ ═CCl₂) in a gaseous phase at an elevated temperature using an activated alumina (e.g., alumina activated by impregnation with a solution of one or more halides of polyvalent metals such as chromium, cobalt, nickel and manganese) which is partially fluorinated. U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,260 discloses a gas-phase process for the manufacture of CF₃ CHCl₂ and CF₃ CHClF by fluorination of a suitable tetrahaloethylene (e.g., CCl₂ ═CCl₂) using a selected metal on a high fluorine content alumina support U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,744 discloses the formation of CF₃ CH₂ F and CF₃ CH₂ Cl) by the vapor phase fluorination of a suitable trihaloethylene (e.g., CCl₂ ═CHCl) using a catalyst prepared by codepositing a hexavalent chromium oxide and a transition metal compound (e.g., titanium trichloride) on alumina followed by fluorinating the resulting combination. Japanese Patent Application Publication 2-172933 discloses a method for manufacturing CF₃ CH₂ F by fluorinating CF₃ CH₂ Cl in the presence of a fluorinating catalyst which contains a halide or oxide which contains chromium and at least one element selected from among aluminum, magnesium, calcium, barium, strontium, iron, nickel, cobalt and manganese (e.g., catalyst produced by adding a commercial alumina to a solution of chromium chloride, drying the mixture, and activating the residue using HF).

Aluminum fluoride may be obtained by the fluorination of alumina. Several phases of aluminum fluoride have been reported, each having a characteristic powder X-ray diffraction pattern.

α-AlF₃ (i.e., alpha-aluminum fluoride) as reported by E. Staritzky and L. B. Asprey, Anal. Chem., 29, 984 (1957) has a powder X-ray diffraction pattern characterized by various "d" spacings and between 3.520 Angstroms and 1.560 Angstroms with the strongest intensity observed at a "d" spacing of 3.520 Angstroms. β-AlF₃ (i.e., beta-aluminum fluoride) as reported by U.S. Pat. No. 3,178,483 has a powder X-ray diffraction pattern characterized by various "d" spacings between 6.000 Angstroms and 1.558 Angstroms with very strong intensities observed at "d" spacings of 6.000 Angstroms and 3.563 Angstroms and strong intensities observed at "d" spacings of 3.465 Angstroms and 3.001 Angstroms. γ-AlF₃ (i.e., gamma-aluminum fluoride) as reported by U.S. Pat. No. 3,178,484 has a powder X-ray diffraction pattern characterized by various "d" spacings between 3.537 Angstroms and 1.623 Angstroms, with very strong intensity observed at a "d" spacing of 3.537 Angstroms and a strong intensity observed at a "d" spacing at 1.768 Angstroms.

Processes using particular phases of AlF₃ have been disclosed. For example, European Patent Publication 0282005 discloses a process for preparing CF₃ CHCl₂ (and CF₃ CHClF) by reacting CCl₂ ═CCl₂ with HF in a gas phase in the presence of catalysts comprising Cr₂ O₃ carried on AlF₃ in the gamma and/or beta form. Japanese Patent Application Publication 53-144509 discloses a process for the manufacture of 3,3,3-trifluoropropene using a catalyst bed comprising α-aluminum fluoride and a second catalyst comprising other gas phase fluorinating catalysts (e.g., β-aluminum fluoride and/or γ-aluminum fluoride).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been found that a catalyst of metal fluoride on a fluorinated alumina support having an atomic ratio of F to Al of at least 2.7:1 and containing γ-aluminum fluoride can be prepared by fluorinating alumina (e.g., γ-Al₂ O₃) which has been impregnated with a zinc halide; and that a tetrahaloethane of the formula CH₂ ClCX₃ or the formula CH₂ XCClX₂ wherein each X is chlorine or fluorine (e.g., 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane) may be advantageously fluorinated with HF to 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (i.e., HFC-134a) in the gaseous phase at an elevated temperature in the presence of a supported metal catalyst of this type wherein zinc is at least about 0.1 percent by weight of the catalyst and is from about 40 to 100 percent by weight of the metal on said support (said catalyst optionally containing one or more of other selected metals). Accordingly, a process for producing HFC-134a is provided by this invention which comprises the step of reacting a tetrahaloethane of the formula CH₂ ClCX₃ or the formula CH₂ XCClX₂ (wherein each X is chlorine or fluorine) with HF in the gaseous phase at an elevated temperature in the presence of a supported metal catalyst; wherein said catalyst is a catalyst of metal fluoride on a fluorinated alumina support having an atomic ratio of F to Al of at least 2.7:1 and containing β-aluminum fluoride; wherein said supported metal includes zinc and optionally includes one or more other metals selected from Groups VIII, VIIB, VIB, IIIB, IIB and IB of the Periodic Table and elements having atomic numbers between 57 and 71; and wherein zinc is at least about 0.1 percent by weight of the catalyst and is at least about 40 percent by weight of the metal on said support.

DETAILS OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a catalytic process for producing 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane by the fluorination of a tetrahaloethane of the formula CH₂ ClCX₃ or the formula CH₂ XCClX₂, wherein each X is chlorine or fluorine. Suitable starting materials include CH₂ ClCClF₂ and CH₂ ClCF₃. 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane is preferred. The process uses a catalyst of metal fluoride on a fluorinated alumina support wherein the fluorinated alumina contains β-aluminum fluoride and wherein zinc is at least about 0.1 percent by weight (and preferably from about 1 to 10 percent by weight) of the catalyst.

In addition to zinc, the supported metal may also include one or more other metals selected from Group VIII (e.g., Fe, Co and/or Ru), Group VIIB (e.g., Mn), Group VIB (e.g., Cr), Group IIIB (e.g., Y), Group IIB (e.g., Cd) and Group IB (e.g., Cu) of the Periodic Table and elements with atomic numbers between 57 and 71 (e.g., La, Ce and/or Nd). However, zinc should be at least about 40 percent by weight of the metal on the support. Catalysts of this invention which consist essentially of a mixture of zinc fluoride and chromium fluoride on a fluorinated alumina support are considered particularly useful. The preferred catalyst of this invention consists essentially of zinc fluoride on a fluorinated alumina support

By a fluorinated alumina support is meant a composition comprising aluminum, oxygen and fluorine in such proportions that the total fluorine content of the catalyst composition taken as AlF₃ corresponds to at least 90 weight percent, exclusive of the supported metal (i.e., the atomic ratio of F to Al in the support is at least 2.7:1). The remainder of the support may include aluminum oxide or aluminum oxyfluoride.

The high AlF₃ content support can be prepared in any manner known to the art. For example, the invention catalyst can be prepared by fluorination of alumina or aluminum oxyfluoride impregnated with a solution of a zinc compound or zinc and chromium compounds which may be in the form of any soluble compound of the metal such as the oxide, oxyhalide, halide, pseudohalide, nitrate, sulfate, or organic salt such as acetate, propionate and any other compound of said metals which is convertible to a metal fluoride under the reaction conditions described herein. The halides include chlorides, fluorides, and bromides. The pseudohalides include cyanides, cyanates and thiocyanates. The preferred metal is zinc; and a preferred catalyst preparation involves fluorination of γ-Al₂ O₃ (i.e., gamma-alumina) which has been impregnated with a zinc halide.

The form of the catalyst is not critical and may be used in the form of pellets, powders or granules.

In addition, the catalyst composition can also be prepared by co-precipitation of the catalytic metal and the aluminum as the hydroxides which are thereafter dried and calcined to form the mixed oxides, a technique well known to the art. The resulting oxide can be fluorinated as described herein.

Generally, the catalyst composition of the present invention will be fluorinated by pretreatment with HF or other vaporizable compounds containing fluorine such as SF₄, CCl₃ F, CCl₂ F₂, CHF₃ or CCl₂ FCClF₂ to activate the catalyst. This pretreatment is accomplished by placing the catalyst composition in a suitable container which can be the reactor to be used to perform the reaction of the instant invention, and thereafter, passing HF over the dried catalyst composition. This is conveniently carried out by passing HF over the catalyst for a period of time, for example, of about 15 to 300 minutes at a temperature of, for example, about 200° C. to 450° C. Pretreatment is preferred, but is not essential provided that initial process conditions and equipment are selected so as to fluorinate the catalyst under initial process conditions.

By vaporizable fluorine-containing compound is meant a fluorine-containing compound which will convert the catalyst of the instant invention to the desired degree of fluorination using the pretreatment conditions described herein.

A suitable catalyst may be prepared, for example, as follows:

A quantity of γ-Al₂ O₃ is impregnated with a solution, usually aqueous, of a catalytically effective amount of a zinc compound or of compounds containing zinc and any other metal(s) to be included on the support (e.g., chromium). By catalytically effective amount is meant an amount of the metal which causes the production of the desired compounds in the process of the instant invention. Normally, this amount, expressed as metal, will be between about 0.1 and 50 weight percent of the alumina support, preferably not more than 20 weight percent, and more preferably from about 0.1 to 10 weight percent. The impregnated alumina can be dried until essentially all moisture is removed, e.g., for about 18 hours at about 400° C. The dried catalyst is then transferred to the reactor to be used. The temperature is then gradually increased to about 400° C. while maintaining a flow of N₂ through the reactor to remove any remaining traces of moisture from the catalyst and the reactor. The temperature is then lowered to about 200° C. and HF, or other vaporizable fluorine containing compounds such as SF₄, CCl₃ F, CCl₂ F₂, CHF₃ or CCl₂ FCClF₂, diluted with N₂ is passed through the reactor. The N₂ flow can be gradually reduced until only HF, or other vaporizable fluorine containing compounds such as SF₄, CCl₃ F, CCl₂ F₂, CHF₃ or CCl₂ FCClF₂, is being passed through the reactor. At this point the temperature can be increased to about 450° C. and held at that temperature to convert the impregnated Al₂ O₃ to a fluorine content corresponding to at least 90% AlF₃ by weight, e.g., for 15 to 300 minutes, depending on the flow of the fluorine containing compound and the catalyst volume.

The reaction of the tetrahaloethane starting material with HF in the presence of the catalyst of the instant invention is conducted in the gas phase at an elevated temperature. Suitable temperatures range from about 225° C. to 500° C. The reaction temperature is preferably from about 300° C. to 450° C., and is most preferably from about 350° C. to about 400° C. The contact time is generally from about 0.1 to about 60 seconds, and is preferably from about 5 to about 30 seconds.

The molar ratio of HF to the tetrahaloethane starting material can range from about 1:1 to about 20:1, and is preferably from about 3:1 to 15:1, and more preferably from about 5:1 to 10:1.

In general, with a given catalyst composition and starting material, the higher the temperature, the greater the HF/tetrahaloethane mole ratio, and the longer the contact time, the greater is the degree of fluorination.

The reaction of tetrahaloethane with HF may be conducted in any suitable reactor, including fixed and fluidized bed reactors. The reaction vessel should be constructed from materials which are resistant to the corrosive effects of hydrogen fluoride such as Inconel® nickel alloy and Hastelloy® nickel alloy.

Pressure is not critical. Atmospheric and superatmospheric pressures are the most convenient and are therefore preferred.

The fluorinated alkane 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane produced by the invention has utility as a refrigerant and a blowing agent.

Practice of the invention will become further apparent from the following non-limiting Examples.

EXAMPLES General Procedure for Fluorination

The reactor (0.5 inch ID, 12 inch long Inconel® nickel alloy tubing) was charged with the amount of catalyst either as 1/12" pellets or as -10/+20 ASTM Std. Sieve No. (850 μm-2000 μm) powder as described in the following examples, and placed in a sand bath. The bath was gradually heated to 400° C. while nitrogen gas at a flow rate of 100 mL/minute was passed through the reactor to remove traces of water. The temperature was lowered to 150° C. and HF and nitrogen gas (1:1 molar ratio) were passed through the reactor. The temperature was gradually raised to 425° C. and maintained there for 30 to 240 minutes. The fluorine content of the alumina-based catalyst compositions corresponded to an AlF₃ content, exclusive of the metal, of at least 90%. The temperature was then decreased to the indicated values and, thereafter, 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane and HF flows were started. The flows of HF and 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (i.e., CF₃ CH₂ Cl) were adjusted to give the indicated molar ratios and contact times.

The reactor effluent was sampled on-line using a 20 foot long, one-eighth inch diameter column containing Krytox® perfluorinated polyether on an inert support and a helium flow of 35 cc/minute. Gas chromatographic conditions were 70° for 3 minutes followed by temperature programming to 180° at a rate of 6°/minute.

General Procedures for Characterization

X-Ray (Cu K.sub.α -radiation) powder diffraction patterns were obtained using a Phillips APD 3600 or a Phillips APD 3720 diffractometer equipped with a theta-compensating slit.

Based upon the X-ray powder diffraction patterns, the presence of β-AlF₃ phase present was evaluated from the intensity of the peak observed at "d" spacing of about 6.0 Å (present only in the β-form) relative to the intensity of the strongest peak observed (i.e., I₆ /I_(max)). The strongest peak was generally observed at a "d" spacing of from 3.5 to 3.6 Angstroms.

Chemical analyses were obtained using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry and potentiometric determination of fluorine using a fluoride selective electrode and computer controlled additions of a fluoride standard.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE A ZnO Catalyst

A commercial sample of ZnO was molded into 4" diameter pellets under 70-80 tons of pressure. The pellets were crushed and sieved to a -10/+20 ASTM Std. Sieve No. (850 μm-2000 μm) powder. The General Procedure for fluorination for the alumina-based catalysts was followed using 54.08 g (30 cc) of ZnO as the initial catalyst charge. The results of the reaction of HF with 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane are given in Table I.

The used catalyst (66.45 g) was recovered corresponding to a 22.9% weight gain on fluorination.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE B γ-Al₂ O₃ Catalyst

The General Procedure for fluorination was followed using 19.2 g (30 cc) of γ-Al₂ O₃ (1/12" extrudates) as the initial catalyst charge. The results of the reaction of HF with 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane are given in Table I.

The used catalyst (24.50 g) was recovered corresponding to a 36.6% weight gain on fluorination. The used catalyst had a characteristic powder X-ray diffraction pattern with I₆ /I_(max) averaging about 0.28. Chemical analysis gave an F:Al (atom ratio) averaging about 3.02:1 (about 101% conversion to AlF₃).

EXAMPLE 1 2%Zn/γ-Al₂ O₃

Dried (110° C. for a minimum of 16 hours) γ-Al₂ O₃ (100 g 1/12" extrudates) was added to a solution containing 4.16 g of ZnCl₂ in 85.70 g distilled water. The resulting material was dried at 110° C. overnight. The General Procedure for fluorination was followed using 20.18 g (30 cc) of 2%Zn/γ-Al₂ O₃ as the initial catalyst charge. The results of the reaction of HF with 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane are given in Table I.

The used catalyst (30.05 g) was recovered corresponding to a 48.9% weight gain on fluorination. The used catalyst had a characteristic powder X-ray diffraction pattern with I₆ /I_(max) averaging about 0.53. Chemical analysis gave an F:Al (atom ratio) averaging about 3.17:1 (about 106% conversion to AlF₃) and a Zn:Al (atom ratio) averaging about 0.0181:1.

                  TABLE I                                                          ______________________________________                                                       Example                                                                        A    B        1                                                  ______________________________________                                         Initial Catalyst Charge                                                                        ZnO    γ-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                2% Zn/γ-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                 Temperature, °C.                                                                        375    375      375                                            HF/CF.sub.3 CH.sub.2 Cl (Mole Ratio)                                                           10/1   10/1     10/1                                           Contact Time, sec                                                                               10     10       10                                            Conversion, %    0.69   2.12    28.8                                           Selectivity to CF.sub.3 CH.sub.2 F, %                                                          42.90  16.71    99.4                                           ______________________________________                                    

These results clearly show the greater activity and selectivity of the 2%Zn/γ-Al₂ O₃ compared to ZnO and γ-Al₂ O₃ in the fluorination of CF₃ CH₂ Cl to HFC-134a.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE C 2%Co/γ-Al₂ O₃

Dried (110° C., overnight) γ-Al₂ O₃ (125 g, 1/12" extrudates) was added to a solution containing 10.09 g of CoCl₂.6H₂ O in 104 g distilled water. Excess water was evaporated by heating at approximately 110° C. The General Procedure for fluorination was followed using 19.21 g (30 cc) of 2%Co/γ-Al₂ O₃ as the initial catalyst charge. The results of the reaction of HF with 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane are given in Table II.

The used catalyst (28.10 g) was recovered corresponding to a 46.3% weight gain on fluorination. The used catalyst had a characteristic powder X-ray diffraction pattern with I₆ /I_(max) averaging about 0.14. Chemical analysis gave an F:Al (atom ratio) averaging about 3.15:1 (about 105% conversion to AlF₃) and a Co:Al (atom ratio) averaging about 0.0172:1.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE D 2%Cr/γ-Al₂ O₃

Dried (110° C., overnight) γ-Al₂ O₃ (200 g, 1/12" extrudates) was added to a solution containing 30.80 g of Cr(NO₃)₃.9H₂ O in 190 g distilled water. Excess water was evaporated by heating at approximately 110° C. overnight. The General Procedure for fluorination was followed using 22.42 g (30 cc) of 2%Cr/γ-Al₂ O₃ as the initial catalyst charge. The results of the reaction of HF with 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane are given in Table II.

The used catalyst (28.95 g) was recovered corresponding to a 29.1% weight gain on fluorination. The used catalyst had a characteristic powder X-ray diffraction pattern with I₆ /I_(max) of about. Chemical analysis gave an F:Al (atom ratio) averaging about 2.97:1 (about 99% conversion to AlF₃) and a Cr:Al (atom ratio) averaging about 0.0164:1.

                  TABLE II                                                         ______________________________________                                                       ExampIe                                                                       C           D                                                     ______________________________________                                         Initial Catalyst Charge                                                                        2% Co/γ-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                              2% Cr/γ-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                    Temperature, °C.                                                                        375          375                                               HF/CF.sub.3 CH.sub.2 Cl (Mole Ratio)                                                           10/1         10/1                                              Contact Time, sec                                                                               10           10                                               Conversion, %   11.66        2.92                                              Selectivity to CF.sub.3 CH.sub.2 F, %                                                          96.70        4.07                                              ______________________________________                                    

These results when compared to the results of Example 1 clearly show the greater activity and selectivity of the 2%Zn/γ-Al₂ O₃ compared to 2%Co/γ-Al₂ O₃ and 2%Cr/γ-Al₂ O₃ in the fluorination of HCFC-133a to HFC-134a.

EXAMPLE 2 1%Zn/γ-Al₂ O₃

Dried (110° C., overnight) γ-Al₂ O₃ (100 g, 1/12" extrudates) was added to a solution containing 2.08 g of ZnCl₂ in 77.61 g distilled water. The resulting material was dried at 110° C. overnight. The General Procedure for fluorination was followed using 20.42 g (30 cc) of 1%Zn/γ-Al₂ O₃ as the initial catalyst charge. The results of the reaction of HF with 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane are given in Table III.

The used catalyst (26.70 g) was recovered corresponding to a 30.8% weight gain on fluorination. The used catalyst had a characteristic powder X-ray diffraction pattern with I₆ /I_(max) averaging about 0.23. Chemical analysis gave an F:Al (atom ratio) averaging about 3.01:1 (about 100% conversion to AlF₃) and a Zn:Al (atom ratio) averaging about 0.00704:1.

EXAMPLE 3 4%Zn/γ-Al₂ O₃

Dried (110° C. for a minimum of 16 hours) γ-Al₂ O₃ (100 g, 1/12" extrudates) was added to a solution containing 8.32 g of ZnCl₂ in 74.65 g distilled water. The resulting material was dried at 110° C. overnight. The General Procedure for fluorination was followed using 20.32 g (30 cc) of 4%Zn/γ-Al₂ O₃ as the initial catalyst charge. The results of the reaction of HF with 2- chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane are given in Table III.

The used catalyst (26.65 g) was recovered corresponding to a 31.2% weight gain on fluorination. The used catalyst had a characteristic powder X-ray diffraction pattern with I₆ /I_(max) averaging about 0.16. Chemical analysis gave an F:Al (atom ratio) averaging about 3.02:1 (about 101% conversion to AlF₃) and a Zn:Al (atom ratio) averaging about 0.0304:1.

EXAMPLE 4 10%Zn/γ-Al₂ O₃

Dried (110° C. for a minimum of 16 hours) γ-Al₂ O₃ (100 g, 1/12" extrudates) was added to a solution containing 20.8 g of ZnCl₂ in 90.95 g distilled water. The resulting material was dried at 110° C. overnight. The General Procedure for fluorination was followed using 24.98 g (30 cc) of 10%Zn/γ-Al₂ O₃ as the initial catalyst charge. The results of the reaction of HF with 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane are given in Table III.

The used catalyst (29.72 g) was recovered corresponding to a 19.0% weight gain on fluorination. The used catalyst had a characteristic powder X-ray diffraction pattern with I₆ /I_(max) averaging about 0.48. Chemical analysis gave an F:Al (atom ratio) averaging about 3.14:1 (about 105% conversion to AlF₃) and a Zn:Al (atom ratio) averaging about 0.0708:1.

                  TABLE III                                                        ______________________________________                                                         Example                                                                        2       3      4                                               ______________________________________                                         Zinc Loading (percent)                                                                            1         4      10                                         Temperature (°C.)                                                                         375       375    375                                         HF/CF.sub.3 CH.sub.2 Cl (Mole Ratio)                                                             10/1      10/1   10/1                                        Contact Time, sec  10        10     10                                         Conversion, %     14.20     19.55  14.59                                       Selectivity to CF.sub.3 CH.sub.2 F, %                                                            82.18     97.16  96.35                                       ______________________________________                                    

These results together with the results of Example 1 clearly show the consistently high activity and selectivity of the Zn/γ-Al₂ O₃ system with various metal loadings for the fluorination of HCFC-133a to HFC-134a.

Particular embodiments of the invention are included in the Examples. Other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a considertion of the specification or practice of the invention. It is understood that modifications and variations may be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of this invention. It is further understood that the invention is not confined to the particular formulations and examples herein illustrated, but it embraces such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for producing 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane comprising the step of reacting a tetrahaloethane of the formula CH₂ ClCX₃ or the formula CH₂ XCClX₂ wherein each X is chlorine or fluorine, with HF in the gaseous phase at an elevated temperature in the presence of a supported metal catalyst; wherein said catalyst is a catalyst of metal fluoride on a fluorinated alumina support having an atomic ratio of F to Al of at least 2.7:1 and containing β-aluminum fluoride; wherein said supported metal includes zinc and optionally includes one or more other metals selected from Groups VIII, VII, VIIB, VIB, IIIB, IIB and IB of the Periodic Table and elements having atomic numbers between 57 and 71; and wherein zinc is at least about 0.1 percent by weight of the catalyst and is at least 40 percent by weight of the metal on said support.
 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the catalyst is prepared by fluorinating γ-Al₂ O₃ which has been impregnated with a zinc halide.
 3. The process of claim 2 wherein the catalyst consists essentially of zinc fluoride on a fluorinated alumina support.
 4. The process of claim 3 wherein the reaction is carried out at a temperature between about 275° C. and 500° C.
 5. The process of claim 4 wherein zinc is from about 1 to 10 percent by weight of the catalyst.
 6. The process of claim 5 wherein the tetrahaloethane starting material is 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane.
 7. The process of claim 6 wherein the mole ratio of HF to 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane is from about 3:1 to 15:1.
 8. The process of claim 7 wherein the contact time is from about 0.1 to 60 seconds.
 9. The process of claim 1 wherein the tetrahaloethane starting material is selected from the group consisting of CH₂ ClCClF₂ and CH₂ ClCF₃.
 10. The process of claim 1 wherein the tetrahaloethane starting material is CH₂ ClCF₃.
 11. The process of claim 1 wherein the mole ratio of HF to tetrahaloethane starting material is from about 1:1 to 20:1.
 12. The process of claim 1 wherein the contact time is from about 0.1 to 60 seconds. 